In Spain, Christmas traditions include decorating with nativity scenes and singing carols around them in late December. Students have school holidays from around December 21st to January 8th. On December 22nd, the Christmas lottery drawing kicks off the festivities. Families have large Christmas Eve dinners and attend midnight mass. On Christmas Day, extended families gather for an important meal together wearing nice clothes. Children anticipate gifts from the Three Wise Men on January 5th by leaving out water and going to bed early.

1. CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN SPAIN.
By Rubén

2. In Algeciras (Cádiz), there is a tradition that I
think is not given elsewhere. In the days
before Reyes (The Three Wise Men’s Day)
children prepare and "drag" empty cans on the
morning of January 5 (day Crawl cans) around
city center with a great uproar, to draw the
attention of their Majesties the Kings of the
East so that they do not forget to visit them at
night.

3.  Here Christmas starts from mid November since
commercial centers begin to place typical Christmas
themes. Also it starts getting colder (which for us is a
sign that winter and Christmas are just around the
corner).
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Students have holidays from about 21 or 22 December
to 8 January.
Yet the true Christmas here begins on 22 December,
which is the day on which the draw for the Christmas
Lottery is performed. Let's say that's the starting gun for
Christmas.

4.  One of the main traditions is the crib, a miniature
representation of the Holy Family on the birth of Christ
together with the shepherds, Magi, etc..
Traditionally, children and adults in the house come
together around the crib to sing carols, Christmas songs
accompanied by tambourines and bagpipes.

5. The tradition of Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) is totally
familiar. In fact, until recently, the bars and restaurants did
not open that night (at least in the small town where I grew
up). For the family dinner today the menu is varied, with
the most common seafood or poultry (turkey, capon, etc..),
Although until recently each region had a typical dinner.
Desserts usually consist of nougat and marzipan, desserts
both of Arabic origin made with almonds and honey.
​
At twelve o'clock practicing Catholics attend a midnight
mass.
Currently, young people, after dinner and family
gatherings, celebrate a Christmas party with friends.

6.  Christmas lunch is the most important festivity of the
year, the family gather (grandparents, uncles, cousins,
etc. ..) and wear the best clothes in the house, use the
best plates , etc. .. .
In Levante (Valencia), it is typical “broth with balls" and
the Yule log dessert (a kind of Swiss roll cake covered
with chocolate).

7.  The day dedicated to children's January 5 when we
witness the arrival of the Magi, who come in and ride
through the streets of towns and cities throwing candy.
Then children go to bed early that night because the
Magi, if we've behaved well, bring everything we've
asked them for .If we have not behaved so well, they
will leave coal.
Much of this tradition has been moved to Christmas Eve,
where Santa Claus arrives, so that children take
advantage of the school holidays to play with gifts, but
the illusion is still on the Twelfth Night.

8. Dates
On 24 December , we usually have dinner with our
family at home. It's Christmas Eve.
On December 25 , after a big meal, some families
give gifts to the children to enjoy during the holidays.
December 31 begins in a familiar way , but young
people often make parties.
On the night of January 5 come the Three Wise Men ,
children often leave water in the balcony for watering
the camels and go to sleep early and sometimes ,
parents dress up as Magi to surprise children.
The next morning the gifts ( toys) are in the dining
room. uncles and aunts’ homes and grandparents often
leave gifts for children .
On January 6 , we usually buy a " King Cake ," which
is a cake with a gift to have a happy year.